Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that the Philippines was re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C   (special interest in the maritime transport/navigation).

“The Philippines placed 9th in rank, garnering 126 votes.  The re-election of the Philippines  to  the IMO Council only shows the  high regard of the 170-member  UN organization has for our country as the primary provider of seafarers to  the world.,”  said Baldoz.

The  report of the country’s  re-election to the IMO Council came from Labor Attache Joan Lavilla who  said that the  Philippines will hold the port as council members from 2014-2015.

The Philippines was first elected to the IMO Council in 1997, and has since been re-elected under Category C where 20 governments representing all major geographical areas of the world have special interest in maritime transport and navigation.  There are 24 countries which vied for 20-country slots in Category C.

Elected together with the Philippines were Singapore, Turkey, South Africa, Malta, Indonesia, Mexico, Chile, Denmark, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium, Morocco, Thailand, Peru, Bahamas,  Liberia, Kenya, and Jamaica.

Ten governments are elected each under Category A and B. States with high interest in international shipping services like Greece, Japan and the United States were elected under Category A, while those with largest interest in international seaborne trade like Germany, Brazil, and France were elected under Category B.

IMO is a UN specialized agency responsible for ensuring maritime safety and security and protecting the marine environment. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the organization.

The Assembly normally meets once every two years in regular session. It is responsible for approving the work programme, voting the budget, and determining the financial arrangements of the Organization. It also elects the Council.

End/LetMaring